How to Build Your Sports Job Resume

While understanding resume development is important in any field, that is especially the case when applying for sports jobs. You need to know exactly how to build a sports resume because there are so many people who are vying for the same positions. The below advice guides you through the process.

How To Write A Sports Resume

These tips will help with writing a sports resume that presents you in the best possible light:

Break it into common sections.

The way you present yourself for a career in sports will be similar to other industries. The first step is to put all your contact information at the top: your name, phone number, email address, and mailing address. Be sure to include your LinkedIn profile link too.

Under the contact information section, there should be sections for your job experience (showcasing your accomplishments), education, skills, and references.

You may also want to include an objective section directly below the contact information at the top. The objective of a sports resume should describe, in one sentence, the role you are seeking and how you will apply your experience to excel in that role.

Be accurate and specific.

Any organization that is considering hiring you will conduct some research into the details within your resume. For that reason, as well as generally being ethical, it is important that nothing is embellished. If you ask any expert how to build a sports resume, they will stress avoiding exaggerations.

Along with making sure everything is correct, you also want specifics since they express results. Keep in mind that you own a share in the successes of your department. For example, you can list the percentage of your department’s improved season ticket sales. Just be sure to fairly represent the part you played in any achievement.

Keep it clear and to the point.

The secret to writing a perfect resume is to showcase how passionate you are about the industry while respecting the reader’s time. You also want to display how well you can communicate since communication is critical to just about every position.

While the information in your resume should be well-organized, it should also captivate. For that reason, beyond the basic structure described above, consider including a few core successes from sports jobs at the top (in the place where you might otherwise put the objective). Leading with these achievements will help you immediately stand out from other applicants.

In terms of brevity, you do not want to go over two pages. Try to get everything within a single page for entry-level positions. If you have too much material, omit any experience that is irrelevant to the specific position you want to land; after all, your resume should be adjustable (see the next section).

Change your resume to fit the situation.

To get the best possible impact, tweak your resume every time you apply for a sports job. Carefully review the description of the opening and adjust your resume so that it better focuses on the specific requirements. In that sense, you should think not just about how to build a sports resume but how to treat it as a living document.

For example, your Photoshop skills should be front and center when applying for a job in sports graphic design. For another job, though, that information might be listed in the skills section at the bottom. Get away from thinking of your sports resume as a single, static document.

Keep it up to date.

Your resume should not just be adapted to fit specific job openings but to fit the current moment. Make additions as you complete new training, internships, or jobs. Plus, consider how to reorganize your resume if these updates might deserve more prominent placement than your current format allows. Be sure that your most critical and pertinent successes are highlighted (i.e., toward the top).

Express yourself.

While you want your resume to be formal, you also want it to show off your personality. It’s not just about how to write a sports resume but how to craft one that is extraordinary. If your presentation is flat and unremarkable, you will not be able to create that key separation from other candidates. By peppering your resume with self-expression, you generate differentiation in a hyper-competitive industry.

That said, it is not a good idea to fill your cover letter with jokes or arrive with a resume printed on bright orange paper. Just be careful that your resume is not so constrained that you fail to get across what makes you special.

Treat the grammar with great care.

Grammar is critical to language, and language is critical to writing a sports resume. It is not just about following rules but making it easy for the reader to understand you immediately. Use online tools such as Grammarly to check your work if you struggle with this aspect of language.

Start with a template.

The above advice on the structure can help you build a resume from scratch. However, you can fast-track the process by starting with a template. There are templates available online that are specific to sports careers.

Review a sample resume & sample cover letter for a sports job.

You can get a better sense of how to flesh out your resume with an online sample from the sports industry. When it comes time to pair it with a cover letter, you may feel stuck as well. Again, you can access a sample cover letter for a sports job online to guide the development of your own.

Proofread before you send.

Perhaps the most crucial aspect of building a sports resume is polishing. Do not expect to be able to simply write your resume from top to bottom and then send it out. Write it in drafts, edit it carefully, and finish off the project by proofreading it at least twice. Correct anything that is wrong. Get help as needed. (See the next step.)

Get professional help with the copy.

Finally, even with all the above advice on how to build a sports resume, you may still feel the task is better performed by a professional. If so, you can hire a writer to edit your resume or write it entirely.

Landing the Job

Your resume is just one aspect of developing a successful career. It is also key that you meet the right people. We can help. Join our network today to network with top sports job organizations and businesses to find – and land – your dream sports job.